Graduate Perfusionist- Advanced Heart Failure

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

We are seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Graduate Perfusionist to join our Advanced Heart Failure (AHF) team. This role is responsible for operating the heart-lung machine and other specialized devices during complex cardiac procedures, including heart and lung transplants, LVAD placements, and ECMO support. This position requires 24/7 in-house coverage and offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, high-acuity environment with cutting-edge technology and a multidisciplinary team.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus many more! 

Position Summary:

Observes the operation of the heart-lung machine during surgery and the operation of special mechanical devises to assist in the conversion of blood and blood products during surgery for the department of ACTAT-Advanced Heart Failure (AHF).
 

Position Key Accountabilities:

1.    Participates in monitoring the altered circulatory process closely, observing how licensed Perfusionist’s take appropriate action when abnormal situations arise and keeps both the surgeon and anesthesiologist fully informed.
2.    Observes licensed Perfusionist's provide extended, long-term support of the patient's circulation outside the operating room environment.
3.    Ensures the sterility and integrity of packaging of disposable equipment used as well as the correct setup and breakdown of all equipment disposable and non-disposable, sterile and non-sterile.
4.    Observes licensed Perfusionist's provide adequate and proper perfusion to the patient during surgery including specialized cases such as heart transplants, lung transplants, LVAD, etc.; Observes licensed Perfusionist's provide in-house perfusion coverage 24/7/365.
5.    Assists with maintaining and regulating the blood temperature to the patient and assists with monitoring various laboratory parameters during surgery.
6.    Observes licensed Perfusionist's provide complete myocardial protection required during surgery; including providing blood or Crystalloid Cardioplegia delivery at proper temperature and proper pressure, whether antegrade or retrograde delivery.
7.    Observes licensed Perfusionist's as part of the rapid response code team responsible for emergency adult Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), Extra Cororeal Membrane Oxyfenation (ECMO) or Cardiopulmonary Bypass case (CPB) initiations in Memorial Hermann Hospital (MHH).
8.    Participates in recording all relevant perfusion information during surgery and maintains the records after surgery. Participates in ELSO (Extracorporeal Life Support Organization) data collection and data registry input including bi-annual reporting.
9.    Observes licensed Perfusionist's provide and operate cardiac-assist devices in the weaning and termination phases of surgery.
10.    Observes licensed Perfusionist's provide set-up, priming, and initiation of ECMO as well as troubleshooting ECMO circuit problems. Observes licensed Perfusionist's monitor ECMO 24/7 and participates in intra hospital transport. Stays abreast of new developments and technologies.
11.    Observes licensed Perfusionist's provide set-up, priming, and initiation of Organ Procurement (XVIVO) and hospital approved experimental adult extracorporeal devices (Hemolung). Observes licensed Perfusionist's monitor Hemolung 24/7 and participate in intra hospital transport. 
12.    Observes licensed Perfusionist's participate in MHH Life Flight Transport including helicopter, ground ambulance and fixed wing transport for FAA approved cardiac support devices. Attends mandatory safety orientation.
13.    Observes licensed Perfusionist's perform equity quality controls for control/preventive maintenance, related documentation and reporting to MHH and additional hospitals receiving Perfusionist clinical coverage from AHF.
14.    Maintains inventory of equipment and supplies.
15.    May assist with the daily coordination of the perfusion program students; Assists with the instruction of the trainees by providing guidance, support and supervision as well as assists with the lectures under the direction of the Perfusion Education Program Director.
16.    Observes licensed Perfusionist's coordinate the high-fidelity simulator for CPB scenarios.
17.    Other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• This is intended to be a temporary position for an individual awaiting the credentialing of license and clinical privileges.
• Must obtain necessary Life Flight skills as required by department within one year of hire.
• Provisional Licensed Perfusionist by Texas Medical Board within 6-8 weeks of hire; exception requests for a longer period of time must be approved by compensation required or
• Licensed Perfusionist (PF) by Texas Medical Board (TMB) within 6-8 weeks of hire; exception requests for a longer period of time must be approved by compensation required or
• Adult Certified ECMO Specialist (CES-A) by American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology (AmSECT) or International Board of Blood Management (IBBM) within one year of hire required
• Ventricular Assist Device Certification by The Joint Commission within one year of hire required

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree and completion of an accredited Perfusionist Technology program.
 

Minimum Experience:

None.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
 

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.